So remember when there were all those awful jackhammers and disruption on Carl Street a year or so ago? Well, they are at it again. Luckily, we don't think the jackhammers will be joining them this time. Some of you might have received a leaflet in your mail outlining the upcoming "updates". Here's the deal:

Starting Monday, July 28th through August 22nd, the SFMTA's contractor will begin work on traffic signal infrastructure work for the Carl and Cole intersection. (See clarification from SFMTA rep below) What we do know is that the main work will involve cutting a trench along the sidewalk on the north side of Carl Street (between Cole and Stanyan). Whoops, guess that does mean jackhammers. 

What to expect:

• Work hours will be from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday
• Work will start at Carl and Cole streets and proceed west 
• The streets will remain open (ultimately walking on Carl will be a disaster, not to mention those of us who will live above these said sidewalks. Lovely).
• Access to local businesses and residence will be maintained (again, no sidewalks)
• Muni service will not be affected (well, guess that's a good thing)
• Street parking will be unavailable where work is taking place (more parking spaces bite the dust)
• There will be some noise during excavation of concrete sidewalk (you mean jackhammers right?)

Other locations that will get the traffic signal "upgrade":

• Irving Street, from 3rd Avenue to 9th Avenue - August 25th to September 19th
• 9th Avenue, from Irving to Judah Street - September 22nd to October 3rd
• Judah Street, from 16th Avenue to 19th Avenue - October 6th to October 31st
• Judah Street, from 35th Avenue to Sunset Blvd - November 3rd to November 28th

This will be fun folks. 

UPDATE: 
We got in touch with SFMTA Project Manager, Tess Kavanagh, who was able to clarify what they mean by "traffic signal upgrades".

"To clarify, we are not installing any new traffic signals as part of the Sunset Tunnel project. We are upgrading the existing traffic signal system in order to improve travel times for the N-Line. The traffic signal upgrades include the installation of new signal wire loops within the roadway that will communicate with the existing signal lights, turning them red or green as needed to give the LRV’s priority through the intersection.For example, the work at Carl & Cole involves the installation of a signal loop that is serving the signal that exists at  Carl & Stanyan, two blocks away."

You know that large abandon looking mansion on the corner of Stanyan and Carl? Well it has a basement ballroom, has about 2,800 square feet, was built in 1900 and recently sold for just over $3 Million. If you look at the pictures, you might wonder who the hell would buy such a dump. Our hope is that the proud new owners of this mansion will renovate it instead of just tearing it down and using the land for some over-the-top modern condo building like those of Upper Market (look at you The Century). Let's all hope.

The SFPD’s roundup report yesterday included a burglary in Cole Valley. The report spoke of a burglary that happened in the 800 block of Cole at Carl. A call to the SFPD was unable to confirm the exact location of the business, but likely options include the Ice Cream Bar, Kezar Bar and Crepes on Cole, probably in that order.

Get more information here! 

Want to get up-to-date information about crime in Cole Valley and Haight-Ashbury? Subscribe to the SFPD Park Station's Police Report! Just email them and ask to receive the newsletter. Here the link: http://sf-police.org/index.aspx?page=832

Every time I pass by the new InVino restaurant, there's always something new going on whether its painting the outside or trying to sneak a peek through the parchment covered windows. Luckily, we got the inside scoop from Tablehopper!! It sure looks a lot different from the old Hama-Ko interior. 

We got some new information thanks to an article on Tablehopper about the new Italian wine bar. Here's what you'll expect from food wise:

"But it’s not just a wine bar, no signore. This enoteca is going to have quite a number of delicioso things to eat, starting with an array of crudi, a variety of toppings on crostone and bruschette, and hello, three different presentations of mozzarella (all these items will be available as single items, or in flights for the ultimate in grazing). There will also be a couple of panini, and a choice selection of cheeses and salumi, plus two or three piatti del giorno, featuring plates like baked pastas and braised meats."

From Tablehopper's article, InVino should be opening around the end of August/beginning of September. Am I sensing a Labor Day weekend opening perhaps? They will be open everyday at 4:30pm except Mondays and look like they will be opening for lunch shortly after they open. 

UPDATE: They recently added signage and a small lamp at the entrance. Got a peek inside one day and saw staff folding napkins and stocking the shelves! Looks like it will be opening very soon!

To read the rest of the article and see some shots of the interior check it out here!

Thanks to @olidreamer, we got tipped off that there might be an Italian restaurant and wine bar moving into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Hama-Ko, a delicious hole-in-the-wall sushi restaurant, closed it's doors fall 2012 and it has been vacant ever since. Recently, we saw some parchment paper go up on the windows which is a good sign that someone has rented it out and is starting to do construction. Hard to imagine how a new restaurant would look because it is such a small space. If anyone has any other information about what might this storefront be (more specifics), please mention us on Twitter, use the #colevalley, and let us know!

UPDATE: We now have gotten confirmation that there will indeed be a new Italian wine bar opening into the old Hama-Ko location on Carl Street. Perbacco's long-time wine director, Claudio Villani, is going off on his own to open a “contemporary enoteca” called InoVino. The small 30-seat spot will be going into 108 Carl Street —right across the street from the now ridiculously popular Padrecito. Villani says his inspiration for the business comes from this friendly, well-known Florentine panini spot called ‘ino. Villani is going to offer wines from all over the world (Greece, Spain, South America, Italy, France). The price of bottles will range from $25 to $65, and there will be at least 30 wines by the glass for $8 to $15. The menu will consist mostly of cheeses and charcuterie from local and international producers, along with crostini, bruschette, and crudo. Villani will spend next month in Italy for some more inspiration. He plans to open InoVino in July.


Source: SF Magazine

The Ice Cream Bar and Soda Fountain in Cole Valley has proposed a parklet!! What are your thoughts? Do you think it's a great idea, considering that The Ice Cream Bar has limited indoor seating and it would help create more business for them? Or do you think that Cole Valley is already tight on parking spaces that taking another 2 parking spaces (remember when SFMTA took a bunch on Carl Street due to N Judah Rail Replacement/Improvement Project??), that CV neighbors desperately need. 

On Nextdoor, Ted Loewenberg from the Haight Ashbury Improvement Association invites you to write to DPW with your thoughts. He also invites you to CC him at tedlsf[at]sbcglobal[dot]net so he can provide feedback to the ICB.

Source: Uppercasing

The Millberry fitness center at UCSF would like to extend an invitation to our neighbors for an open house taking place in December!

12 Days of Fitness
Free Open House and Special, December 1-12

Work out for FREE at UCSF Millberry Fitness & Recreation Center during our open house. If you join by December 12, you can take advantage of our $0 enrollment fee special. Plus, December membership dues are free.

Get to know this hidden treasure in your neighborhood!

View photos of our facilities: http://bit.ly/facilityphotos2012

Tours daily during open house: 
December 3-7 at 12:15 pm, 6:00 pm
December 8 at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm

Contact Member Services today to find out more.
415.476.0348

UCSF Millberry Fitness & Recreation Center
500 Parnassus Avenue, Level B1
campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu/fitnessrecreation

Group Fitness classes not included. Towel and lock rental available for a small fee during Open House.

SFMTA is at it again! Yup that's right, there will be another N Judah shutdown and construction in the neighborhood this weekend. I spoke with Jay Lu and Jeannette Sanchez (SFMTA Community Relations Division  about the tentative completion date of this long project. Answer: "The project...will reach substantial completion around Thanksgiving. Minor miscellaneous work will continue for two or three months after that."

Be sure to share your photos and frustrations with us on Twitter. Click below if you’d like to let SFMTA know how you feel by using the #sfmtacarl! 

Weekend Construction in Cole Valley

November 2nd (Friday) at 7pm to November 5th (Monday) at 5am

What to expect during construction this weekend:

• Track repair between Carl Street and west of the Sunset Tunnel 
• Grinding and paying Carl Street at Cole, Shrader, Willard, and Stanyan Street intersections, one intersection at a time
• Work on the overhead wire poles at various locations along Carl Street
• Noise and dust will be controlled in adherence with City Codes
• Electronic messaging boards will be used in affected areas to alert motorists and cyclists of detours
• Local businesses will remain open during construction

Note: Street work will generate noise, including jackhammering (during daytime hours only) 


Street closures and parking restrictions:

• Street will be closed on an as-needed basis at Cole, Shrader and Stanyan street intersections during street repaying
• Street parking will be temporarily unavailable near those intersections and around the areas where overhead wire pole repair work takes place

Note: If you live on the affected streets, please consider parking your car at an off-street garage or a parking lot such as UCSF Parking Garage and Kezar Stadium on Stanyan Street.  The project will reimburse you for parking charges. Please submit your parking receipts for reimbursement to: SFMTA Carl Street Rail Replacement Project, One South Van Ness Avenue, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 Attn: Ha Nguyen.


Muni Service:

• N Judah will be shut down during the weekend
• N bus will travel on Frederick Street

The schedule is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen conditions.

The next shutdown on N line is scheduled for the weekend of November 16th.